Category: Game Design

General game design topics.

Episode #92: Top 5 Developer Mistakes with John Brieger

John Brieger talks about some of the biggest mistakes he’s made during the development process so we can all learn from them. This is a follow-up to Episode 91: Going Full Time as a Game Developer with John Brieger.

Audio Version:

Resources:

Episode #91: Going Full Time as a Game Developer with John Brieger

Learn why your game needs development help with professional developer, John Brieger. After you listen to this one, make sure to check out Episode 92: Top 5 Developer Mistakes with John Brieger.

Audio Version:

Resources:

Episode #90: Top 5 Rough Edges on a Kickstarter Game

We discuss the top 5 most common rough edges on a Kickstarter game so you can avoid them on yours!

Audio Version:

Resources:

Episode #89: Top 5 Places to Find Prototype Art

In this episode, we re-visit our list of top places to find art for your prototype.

Audio Version:

Video Version:

Resources:

Episode #88: Top 5 Predicted Impacts of COVID-19 on the Board Game Industry

Jeremy and Brian discuss how we think the board game industry will be impacted by COVID-19. This was recorded in early May of 2020.

Audio Version:

Video Version:

Resources:

Episode #87: Top 5 Time Savers for Game Designers

In this episode, we are going to cover a bunch of tips for you game designers to SAVE YOU TIME.

Resources:

Audio Direct Link: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/bgbp_time_savers_final.mp3

Episode #85: Mailbag on US Manufacturing, Recovering from Disaster, and Component Cost Considerations

Today we dig into the Patreon mailbag and answer these questions:

  • How do you recover from being punched in the gut?
  • What is a unique enough selling point for a game?
  • What are some component cost considerations to take when manufacturing your game?
  • Should I fulfill my Kickstarter campaign myself?
  • Is it possible to manufacture games in the US?

Thanks to Mark Edwards for editing this!

Audio Direct Link: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/BGBP085.mp3

References:
– Cardboard Edison Playtest Groups

Episode #83: Top 5 Ways to Deal with Scope Creep

Patron Andrew van Ingen suggested this episode on how to deal with scope creep. Here’s the list we go through!

5) If some people don’t hate it, you are doing it wrong.

4) Don’t let experiments linger.

3) Determine the scale, audience (learning time), price point and play time of your game.

2) Have an “always pruning” mindset. Always be thinking about the parts that aren’t SUPER DUPER fun.

1) Understands that hobby gamers (and many designers) will ALWAYS ask for more.

Audio Direct Link:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/BGBP083.mp3

Episode #81: Top 5 Tips for Managing Your Day Job and Hobby Business

Jeremy and Brian give some tips for how you can better manage your day job and hobby board game business.

Resources:

Edited by: Mark Edwards

Audio Direct Link: http://traffic.libsyn.com/theforbiddenlimb/BGBP081.mp3

Episode #80: Top 5 Things That Are Probably Wrong with Your Game Pitch

(link for direct download of podcast episode)

Jeremy and Brian cover the top 5 things that are most commonly wrong with a pitch a game designer gives to a publisher. If you’re a designer, you’ll probably find something in here that you can use to improve your next pitch.

Thanks to Mark Edwards for editing this and adding the intro/outro!